Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== dāncí: 单词 - Word, Vocabulary Item ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** danci, 单词, Chinese word, Chinese vocabulary, learn Chinese words, what does danci mean, individual word, word in Chinese, single word, character vs word Chinese * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **单词 (dāncí)**, the essential Chinese term for a "word" or "vocabulary item." This comprehensive guide is perfect for beginners, breaking down its characters, cultural role in language learning, and practical usage. Learn the crucial difference between a character (字) and a word (单词) with over 10 clear example sentences to build your core vocabulary and confidence. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** dāncí * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 1 * **Concise Definition:** An individual, single word. * **In a Nutshell:** **单词 (dāncí)** is the fundamental building block of the Chinese language, equivalent to the English concept of a "word." When you learn a new piece of vocabulary, like "你好 (nǐ hǎo)" or "苹果 (píngguǒ)," you are learning a **单词**. It's the term you'll use constantly in your language learning journey, from asking your teacher "What does this word mean?" to tracking the new vocabulary you've learned. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **单 (dān):** This character means "single," "individual," or "sole." Think of it as representing one, standalone unit. * **词 (cí):** This character means "word," "term," or "expression." Notice the speech radical **言 (yán)** on the left, which is associated with language and speaking. Together, they form a very logical combination: **单 (dān) + 词 (cí) = a single word**. This distinguishes it from a single character or a collection of words. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== While **单词 (dāncí)** itself isn't a deep cultural concept like [[关系]] (guānxi), its usage reveals a great deal about the culture of education and language learning in China. The phrase **背单词 (bèi dāncí)**, which literally means "to carry a word on your back" but translates to "memorize vocabulary," is a cornerstone of Chinese study habits. For generations, students have spent countless hours meticulously memorizing lists of **单词**, whether for their native Chinese, English, or another foreign language. This emphasis on rote memorization highlights a pedagogical value placed on diligence, discipline, and building a strong foundation before focusing on creative application. In the West, while vocabulary is important, the emphasis might shift more quickly to conversational practice. In China, having a large vocabulary (**词汇量 (cíhuì liàng)**) is often seen as the primary prerequisite for fluency. So, when you talk about learning **单词**, you're tapping into a shared experience for hundreds of millions of Chinese students. The most important "cultural" distinction for a learner is understanding **单词 (dāncí)** in contrast to **字 (zì)**: * **字 (zì) - Character:** The individual logogram. For example, in the word for "apple," **苹果 (píngguǒ)**, '苹' is one **字** and '果' is another **字**. They often have their own meaning but may not function as a complete word on their own. * **单词 (dāncí) - Word:** A unit of meaning that can be used in a sentence. **苹果 (píngguǒ)** is one **单词**. Understanding this difference is a fundamental breakthrough for any beginner learner of Chinese. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **单词** is a high-frequency, neutral term used in almost any context related to language. * **In the Classroom:** This is its most common habitat. Teachers and students use it constantly. * "Let's learn ten new **单词** today." (我们今天学十个新**单词**。) * "Please use this **单词** to make a sentence." (请用这个**单词**造句。) * **In Casual Conversation:** When discussing language learning with friends, **单词** is the natural choice. * "This **单词** is really hard to remember." (这个**单词**太难记了。) * "How do you say this **单词**?" (这个**单词**怎么说？) * **In Apps and Media:** Language learning apps like Duolingo or Pleco will refer to new vocabulary as **单词** or, more specifically, [[生词]] (shēngcí) - new words. The term itself is neither formal nor informal and carries no strong positive or negative connotation. It is simply a functional, descriptive noun. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 这个**单词**是什么意思？ * Pinyin: Zhège **dāncí** shì shénme yìsi? * English: What does this word mean? * Analysis: A classic, essential sentence for any beginner in a classroom or while studying. * **Example 2:** * 我今天学了二十个新**单词**。 * Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān xuéle èrshí gè xīn **dāncí**. * English: I learned twenty new words today. * Analysis: Note the use of the measure word 个 (gè) for counting words. * **Example 3:** * 请你把这个**单词**写下来。 * Pinyin: Qǐng nǐ bǎ zhège **dāncí** xiě xiàlái. * English: Please write this word down. * Analysis: This uses the 把 (bǎ) structure, a common way to form commands involving an object. * **Example 4:** * 他的词汇量很大，认识很多**单词**。 * Pinyin: Tā de cíhuì liàng hěn dà, rènshi hěn duō **dāncí**. * English: His vocabulary is very large; he knows a lot of words. * Analysis: This shows the relationship between [[词汇]] (cíhuì) - vocabulary as a concept - and **单词** (dāncí) - the individual items that make it up. * **Example 5:** * 这个**单词**由两个汉字组成。 * Pinyin: Zhège **dāncí** yóu liǎng gè Hànzì zǔchéng. * English: This word is composed of two Chinese characters. * Analysis: A perfect sentence for illustrating the difference between a word (**单词**) and a character (汉字). * **Example 6:** * 我总是记不住这个**单词**的发音。 * Pinyin: Wǒ zǒngshì jì bu zhù zhège **dāncí** de fāyīn. * English: I can never remember this word's pronunciation. * Analysis: "记不住 (jì bu zhù)" is a useful resultative complement meaning "can't remember successfully." * **Example 7:** * 背**单词**是学习外语很重要的一步。 * Pinyin: Bèi **dāncí** shì xuéxí wàiyǔ hěn zhòngyào de yī bù. * English: Memorizing words is a very important step in learning a foreign language. * Analysis: Introduces the key concept of 背单词 (bèi dāncí), "to memorize words." * **Example 8:** * 你能在词典里查一下这个**单词**吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ néng zài cídiǎn lǐ chá yīxià zhège **dāncí** ma? * English: Can you look this word up in the dictionary? * Analysis: Shows the practical action of looking up a **单词** in a [[词典]] (cídiǎn). * **Example 9:** * 这个**单词**很简单，你应该认识。 * Pinyin: Zhège **dāncí** hěn jiǎndān, nǐ yīnggāi rènshi. * English: This word is very simple, you should know it. * Analysis: A straightforward sentence you might hear from a teacher or a fluent speaker. * **Example 10:** * 虽然我知道每个**单词**的意思，但我还是不明白整个句子。 * Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ zhīdào měi gè **dāncí** de yìsi, dànshì wǒ háishì bù míngbái zhěnggè jùzi. * English: Although I know the meaning of every word, I still don't understand the whole sentence. * Analysis: This sentence perfectly captures a common frustration for language learners and highlights the difference between knowing individual **单词** and understanding grammar/context. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most significant pitfall for English speakers is confusing **单词 (dāncí)** with three other related terms: **字 (zì)**, **词语 (cíyǔ)**, and **词汇 (cíhuì)**. Mastering this distinction is crucial. * **单词 (dāncí) vs. 字 (zì)** * **字 (zì): Character.** The smallest graphical unit. `好 (hǎo)` is one **字**. * **单词 (dāncí): Word.** A unit of meaning. `你好 (nǐhǎo)` is one **单词** made of two **字**. * //Incorrect:// 这个字是什么意思？ (Pointing at the word 苹果) - //What does this character mean?// * //Correct:// 这个**单词**是什么意思？ (Pointing at the word 苹果) - //What does this word mean?// * **单词 (dāncí) vs. 词汇 (cíhuì)** * **词汇 (cíhuì): Vocabulary.** Refers to the entire //collection// or //stock// of words a person knows or that exists in a language. You cannot count it with 个 (gè). * **单词 (dāncí): Word.** An individual item //from// that collection. * //Incorrect:// 我的**单词**量很大。 - //My "word quantity" is very big.// * //Correct:// 我的**词汇**量很大。 - //My vocabulary is very large.// * //Correct:// 我认识很多**单词**。 - //I know many words.// * **单词 (dāncí) vs. 词语 (cíyǔ)** * This is the most subtle distinction. * **词语 (cíyǔ): Word, Term, Expression.** It's a slightly broader and more formal term than **单词**. It can include not just single words but also common phrases and sometimes even four-character idioms (成语 chéngyǔ). * In many casual contexts, they can be used interchangeably. However, **单词** emphasizes a single vocabulary item for the purpose of learning, while **词语** is more about general "terms and expressions." When in doubt as a beginner, stick with **单词**. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[字]] (zì) - Character. The fundamental written component that makes up a **单词**. * [[词汇]] (cíhuì) - Vocabulary. The entire collection of **单词** that you know. * [[词语]] (cíyǔ) - Word, term, expression. A close, slightly broader synonym for **单词**. * [[生词]] (shēngcí) - New word. A **单词** that is unfamiliar to you; literally a "raw word." * [[句子]] (jùzi) - Sentence. The next level up from a **单词**; what you build with words. * [[背单词]] (bèi dāncí) - To memorize words. The common activity of studying and learning new **单词**. * [[词典]] (cídiǎn) - Dictionary. The book or app you use to look up the meaning of a **单词**. * [[发音]] (fāyīn) - Pronunciation. A key quality of every **单词**. * [[意思]] (yìsi) - Meaning. What you are trying to find out about a **单词**.